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Late Birth Registration in South Africa: A Complete Guide

Last Updated: March 9, 2026|Reviewed By: Home Affairs Editorial Team|Fact-checked against official DHA and Other Official Sources|Not affiliated with the DHA

Late Birth Registration in South Africa: A Complete Guide

Every birth in South Africa must be registered within 30 days under the Births and Deaths Registration Act. When that deadline is missed — whether by weeks, years, or even decades — a Late Registration of Birth (LRB) must be completed before a birth certificate can be issued. Without a birth certificate, a person cannot obtain a Smart ID, passport, SASSA grant, or access many other essential services.

This guide explains every category of late registration, the documents required, and the step-by-step process for each.

Fees at a Glance

ServiceFee
Timely birth registration (within 30 days)Free
Late registration — 31 days to 1 yearFree (additional documents required)
Late registration — 1 to 7 yearsFree (additional documents + possible investigation)
Late registration — 7 years and aboveFree (full investigation + panel interview)
First birth certificate issued after registrationFree
Temporary Identification Certificate (TIC)R70

Late registration of birth is free of charge at DHA offices. However, if a DNA test is required by DHA to verify paternity, the cost of the test is borne by the applicant. DNA testing must meet DHA’s chain-of-custody requirements.

Why Are Births Registered Late?

The DHA acknowledges that late registration happens for a range of legitimate reasons, including:

  • Cultural practices that delay the naming and formal registration of a child
  • Births that occurred at home without access to a DHA satellite office at a hospital
  • Births during periods of national emergency (e.g. the Covid-19 lockdown)
  • Parents living in rural or remote areas far from DHA offices
  • Administrative delays, family circumstances, or simply not knowing about the legal requirement

Regardless of the reason, late registration is accepted. As noted by GroundUp, you must give reasons why the birth was not registered within 30 days — and the DHA will take this into account.

Covid-19 note: Children born from 26 February 2020 during the national lockdown period were exempted from the additional documentary requirements that normally apply to late registrations. If this applies to you, confirm current DHA policy by calling 0800 60 11 90.

The Three Categories of Late Registration

The DHA divides late registrations into three categories based on the age of the child (or person) at the time of registration. Each category has progressively more demanding documentary requirements.

Category 1: 31 Days to 1 Year

This is the simplest late registration category. It applies to infants whose births were not registered within the first 30 days but are being registered before their first birthday.

Required documents:

  • Form DHA-24/LRB — Notice of Birth for Late Registration (obtained at DHA office, not downloadable)
  • DHA-24/PB — Proof of birth from a health facility (if born at a hospital or clinic), OR
  • DHA-24/PBA — Proof of Birth Affidavit (if born at home)
  • DHA-288/A — Affidavit giving reasons for the late registration
  • Biometrics of the child — palm print, footprint, or fingerprint
  • Fingerprints of the parent(s)
  • South African ID or passport of parent(s)
  • Marriage certificate (if parents are married)
  • If one parent is a foreign national: certified copy of their valid passport and visa or permit

Both parents are required to notify the birth where possible.

Category 2: 1 Year to 7 Years

This category applies to children between the ages of one and seven years. The requirements are more extensive and the DHA may conduct a verification investigation.

Required documents — all of the above, plus:

  • DHA-288 — Additional affidavit (supporting evidence of birth)
  • Biometrics (palm, foot or fingerprint of the child) — required again at this stage
  • Additional supporting evidence such as:
    • Clinic card or Road to Health booklet (vaccination records)
    • Hospital or clinic records confirming the birth
    • School enrolment records (if the child has started school)
    • Affidavits from witnesses to the birth (neighbours, community members, traditional leaders, etc.)

The DHA may refer the application for investigation and verification before approving the registration. Processing time is longer than Category 1 and can take several months.

Category 3: 7 Years and Above (Including Adults)

This is the most complex category. It applies to children aged seven and above as well as adults who have never been registered. According to Scalabrini and GroundUp, a panel at DHA will interview and review the application. In some cases where one parent is a non-national and the parents are unmarried, the DHA may request a DNA test to verify paternity.

Required documents — all of Category 2, plus:

  • ID-size photo and fingerprints of the person to be registered (not palm/footprint — full biometric capture)
  • Fingerprints of parents (where parents are still alive and available)
  • Affidavits from multiple independent witnesses who can attest to the person’s identity and birth
  • Any available supporting records: school reports, clinic cards, church baptism records, traditional authority letters, hospital records, employer records, or any government document that references the person by name and date of birth
  • If a parent is deceased: certified copy of the death certificate
  • If both parents are deceased: additional documentation from next of kin or legal guardian

As reported by GroundUp, the Naki judgment (2018), confirmed by the Constitutional Court in 2021, established that a person’s application for late registration of birth must be accepted and considered even if they cannot provide all required documents. DHA cannot refuse to accept the application on documentation grounds alone. If you are struggling to provide all documents, still submit what you have and ask the official to record what is missing.

Important: The 2021 Constitutional Court ruling in Naki also confirmed that DHA cannot differentiate between married and unmarried fathers when it comes to registering a child’s surname — doing so amounts to unconstitutional discrimination.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply for Late Birth Registration

Step 1 — Gather Your Documents

Use the checklist for your relevant category above. Collect originals and certified copies (certifications must not be older than 3 months). Even if you cannot provide everything on the list, do not delay — the Naki judgment protects your right to have your application accepted.

Step 2 — Visit a DHA Office

Late birth registration must be done in person at a DHA live-capture office. It cannot be done online. Use the DHA branch finder to locate your nearest office.

It is advisable to book an appointment via the DHA Branch Appointment Booking System where available, particularly for Categories 2 and 3 where the process is more involved.

Step 3 — Complete Form DHA-24/LRB at the Office

Form DHA-24/LRB is a barcoded form that cannot be downloaded — it is only available at DHA offices. You will complete it on the day at the office. Complete it in black ink and block letters, with no blank fields and no Tipp-Ex.

Step 4 — Submit Your Application and Biometrics

Hand in your completed forms and supporting documents. The DHA official will capture biometrics (fingerprints and/or palm/footprint of the child, and fingerprints of the parents). Keep your receipt with your reference number for all follow-up enquiries.

Step 5 — Investigation and Verification (Categories 2 and 3)

For Categories 2 and 3, the DHA will investigate and verify the application before approving it. This may include:

  • Verification of hospital or clinic birth records
  • A panel interview with the parents or applicant
  • A request for additional documents or affidavits
  • In some cases involving an unmarried foreign parent, a DNA test

This process can take several months to over a year for Category 3 cases. As Scalabrini notes, the investigation alone can take up to a year.

Step 6 — Collect Your Birth Certificate

Once the registration is approved, a birth certificate is issued free of charge. Collect it at the DHA office where you applied.

What Happens If You Cannot Provide All Documents?

The Naki judgment (2018), confirmed by the Constitutional Court in 2021, found that the DHA must accept and consider a late birth registration application even when not all documents can be provided. DHA cannot refuse to receive your application on that basis.

If you are missing documents, submit the application with what you have. The DHA official must record what is outstanding and process the application. You may be asked to provide supplementary affidavits or attend an interview to provide additional evidence.

If you are being refused despite having a legitimate application, organisations that can assist include:

A Note on DNA Tests

According to GroundUp and Scalabrini, DNA tests are a last resort and are generally only requested where one parent is a non-national and the parents are unmarried. If the DHA requests a DNA test, the testing company must meet the DHA’s chain-of-custody requirements — not all commercial DNA testing services qualify. Contact the DHA directly on 0800 60 11 90 for guidance on approved providers.

Civil society organisations have called on the DHA to reduce the use of DNA tests as a prerequisite for birth registration, noting that the cost and complexity acts as a barrier that denies children their constitutional right to registration and nationality.

What You Cannot Do

  • You cannot register a birth late online — Form DHA-24/LRB is only available at DHA offices and must be submitted in person
  • You cannot use Tipp-Ex or correction fluid on any DHA form — obtain a new form if you make an error
  • You cannot be refused from submitting a late birth registration application solely because you are missing some documents (Naki judgment, 2021)
  • You cannot use a non-DHA-approved DNA testing provider if a DNA test is requested — the test must meet DHA chain-of-custody requirements
  • Naturalised citizens and Permanent Residents can now apply for Smart IDs at bank branches (Phase 1 rollout), but only if they are from certain visa-exempt countries. All others must still use a DHA live capture office.

Official DHA Contact Details

ChannelDetails
DHA Call Centre (toll-free)0800 60 11 90
Emailhacc@dha.gov.za
Official websitewww.dha.gov.za
Birth registration infogov.za birth services
Appointment bookingservices.dha.gov.za
SMS status checkSMS the word ID followed by your ID number to 32551 (R1 per SMS)
Office locatorDHA branch finder

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the deadline for registering a birth in South Africa? All births must be registered within 30 days of birth under the Births and Deaths Registration Act. Births registered after 30 days require the Late Registration of Birth process with additional documentary requirements.

2. I missed the 30-day deadline by a few weeks. How urgent is it to register now? Register as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more complex and document-intensive the process becomes. Category 1 (31 days to 1 year) is the simplest — Category 3 (7 years and above) can take over a year to finalise.

3. Can an adult register their own birth if it was never registered? Yes. Adults who were never registered fall into Category 3 (7 years and above) and can apply in their own name. The process requires full biometrics, multiple affidavits, supporting records, and a panel interview. It can take a year or more to finalise.

4. Both my parents are deceased and I have no birth records. Can I still apply? Yes. The Naki judgment confirms that the DHA must accept your application even without all documents. Submit what you have — including any school records, clinic cards, church records, or affidavits from community witnesses. You may be referred to a panel interview to provide further evidence.

5. The DHA is asking for a DNA test. Is this compulsory? DNA tests are a last resort and are generally only requested when one parent is a non-national and the parents are unmarried. They are not compulsory in all late registration cases. If requested, the test must be conducted by a provider that meets DHA’s chain-of-custody requirements. Contact 0800 60 11 90 for guidance.

6. Can I register a birth late at any DHA office, or does it have to be near where the birth occurred? You can apply at any DHA live-capture office nationwide. The application is processed centrally regardless of where the birth occurred.

7. How long does late birth registration take? Category 1 (31 days to 1 year): typically a few weeks to months. Category 2 (1–7 years): several months, including investigation. Category 3 (7 years and above): up to a year or longer, including panel interview and investigation.

8. My child’s birth was not registered because of Covid-19 lockdown. Are there exceptions? Yes. Children born from 26 February 2020 during the national lockdown were exempted from the additional documentary requirements for late registration. Confirm current DHA policy for your specific case by calling 0800 60 11 90.

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